Police help students with South Side shopping spree

Santa Claus arrived early for about 30 lucky children who got to go on a shopping spree Saturday morning with Chicago police officers at a Target retail store on the South Side.

The "SHOP WITH A COP" event was hosted by the Chicago Police Department and employees at the McKinley Park Target store, 1940 W. 33rd St., for 29 students from eight area elementary schools.

The students, many from low-income families and among the most well-behaved in their schools, were given $100 gift cards to purchase presents for themselves and their families, police and store personnel said. The children scoured the store for the best possible gifts with their parents and some of the schools' principals.

"The store just loves it. … Our team members love it," said store employee Amanda Mojica. "They love seeing the officers in the building."

The money for the gift cards come for a $3,000 grant awarded to the store by the Target Corporation, she said.